Let's face it -- we're all secretly wondering about the Putin-Trump trist, right? I mean, let's be honest, the chemistry is undeniable. And don't even get me started on Big Bird and Snuffalupagus, because any BFF that tells you "I see you when no one else can", is a keeper for life.
All kidding aside, there are instances in any franchise or creative work where character interaction provides areas of subtext that leave us wondering, "what if?". These instances, along with many others, are the fertile ground of fan-fiction where shipping, or hypothetical relationships, take root. Where does this emerge from, and what purpose does it serve for those who invest a great deal of time and creative energy into its enjoyment, study, and a times, vehement OTP defense?
Joined once again by entertainment industry journalist Sage Young (of Head Over Feels fame), we look at the practice of shipping, and what enjoyment some fans get from the hypothetical pairing of characters in relationships not explicitly established in the presented content.
